ABG interpretation

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Hi i have a question with interpreting ABGs I'm ok when it comes to figuring it out whether it is acidic and alkaline and metabolic vs Respiratory but i'm a bit confused when it comes to decompensation and compensation.

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Specializes in PACU, OR.

Thanks! Nice little handbook, excellent learning resource.

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here, hope it'll help:

RESP. ACIDOSIS AND RESP. ALKALOSIS:

compensation- pH is normal

partial compensation- HCO3 is abnormal

uncompensated- HCO3 is normal

METABOLIC ACIDOSIS AND METABOLIC ALKALOSIS:

compensation- pH is normal

partial compensation- PCO2 is abnormal

uncompensated- PCO2 is normal

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ABG interpretation has always been something I have struggled with. For the NCLEX, I could not get as far as compensation/decompensation, so I decided to go with the knowledge level I had. Luckily for me, there were no questions on the subject anyway. Yet I do believe one should be as prepared as possible. You don't know what type of question may be the deciding one.

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